Solitary instincts conflict with the gregarious self-interest required for society
Evidence
By self-interest Man has become gregarious, but in instinct he has remained to a great extent solitary; hence the need of religion and morality to reinforce self-interest. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2471
Categorization
- XREF: XREF: Hobbesian tension between solitary instinct and gregarious self-interest — connects to: Unchecked romantic egoism leaves disciples with the alternative of anarchy or despotism — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2478; Dialogic approaches view human systems as riddled with tensionality requiring articulation of constituting tensions — Dialogic Perspectives - Communication; People forget their purpose while being carried by societal pressures. — Leo Tolstoy, A Confession, 179 (+19 more)
- SEED: SEED: essay angle on why rebellion mimics mysticism
- corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2471
Broader Connections
- Society presupposes a harmony between its structure and individual inner callings
#contradicts(0.85) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 191 - Sociability among equals is an artificial stylized game, not a return to natural self
#expands(0.78) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 378 - Social relations crystallize into fixed external forms that cannot keep pace with inner life
#qualifies(0.72) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 778 - People forget their purpose while being carried by societal pressures.
#corroborates(0.70) — Leo Tolstoy, A Confession, 179